Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Charity Navigator just downgraded the HSUS from four stars to three. See it and read it:
humanewatch.org/index.php/site/post/breaking_charity_navigator_downgrades_hsus_ratings/

Good news. Just the beginning I hope.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

It's not just the beginning John. It's another in a series of defeats for those who would cheat us out of our hobby by whatever means possible. I do know what you meant though. I would not expect a whole lot of reporting on our behalf. The scary side of the snake business is a whole lot better for ratings than is the truth, and that's a bummer!

We are kicking their butts John Crickmer! Wind up and take another kick! It feels good doesn't it!?
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Jeff Ronne Sr
The Boaphile
Director USARK

Originator of Boaphile Plastics
The Boaphile Boa Site

Can't hurt.

It can HURT if you kick hard enough...LOL
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Are you suggesting the reptile nation has not been able to kick hard enough in recent years Tom?

No I think we kicked HARDER than they dreamed we could but I think harder still is better. In a real fight just because the opponent is down doesn't mean the attack is aborted. The opponent needs to be OUT COLD like in not moving at all...LOL
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Haven't you watched enough horror movies to know that you have to cut the creatures head off before it is dead? LOL That is the only wa to know for sure. They have already proven they could care less about truth or fairness. You are right. Down does not mean out.
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Jeff Ronne Sr
The Boaphile
Director USARK

Originator of Boaphile Plastics
The Boaphile Boa Site

"We are kicking their butts John Crickmer! Wind up and take another kick! It feels good doesn't it!?"

Yes, it sure does. From what I have seen and been told, HSUS and the rest of the AR extremists are now in full damage control and spin mode.

I'm all for some restrained jubilation. Don't want to count my Python eggs before they hatch. lol

All those times when Lucy pulls the football away from Charlie Brown comes to mind.

Guess who Lucy represents? Been there done that.

Never assume and never underestimate...finish the sentence.

Don't want any premature elation.

Call me cautiously optimistic.

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Jscrick,

Just to clear things up a bit, I should have mentioned that it was not only this one bit of recent news that leads me and others who have told me about this to believe that HSUS is in DC mode. To my knowledge, they have been for quite some time, as evident in Wayne Pacelle's blog going back to 2008, even long before the HumaneWatch site came about. But I do believe that this and all of the other material posted on the HumaneWatch website thus far is helping in expediting HSUS's exposure.

IMO, HSUS seems to be in the process of going down, and hard.

And by "going down", I am referring to the very real possibility that there may finally be an IRS investigation/audit of HSUS for their excessive lobbying activities underway, as well as greater exposure to the general public about who they really are and what they really do with their donations.

It is also encouraging (relatively) to note as a side point, is that at this time, even PETA has higher charity ratings than does the HSUS.

HSLF is the PAC that does most of the lobbying for HSUS issues. They can do lots of lobbying because that is what PAC's are designed for... problem for them is fundraising. HSUS is a fundraising monster.... HSLF is not. if HSUS is funneling money to HSLF to lobby they will be in big trouble with IRS. Time will tell.
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USARK

I'm with you John Crickmer. I'm in this fight with the mind set that we are going to win. I don't ever aim to "do the best I can" but to win. No celebration yet and perhaps not any real celebration because this fight may tone down a bit, but it's not going to end as there are those that hate us because we dare to keep and care for animals. The fight will go on. Just hopefully the battles will be smaller.
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Jeff Ronne Sr
The Boaphile
Director USARK

Originator of Boaphile Plastics
The Boaphile Boa Site

Yeah Jeff, didn't mean to harsh your buzz. I'm with you all the way. In it for the long haul. They've dashed my dreams too many times. Finally, I have a very effective mechanism at my disposal for pushing back.
Thanks,
jsc
...and a Happy Easter to all.
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

"They've dashed my dreams too many times." Don't want to sound the victim here.

Should I say -- Opportunities I had thought I might like to have further pursued, were arbitrarily and prematurely closed off to me by regulatory and legislative fiat, before even given the chance to succeed or fail.

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Your correct and we must NOT stop until the head is severed and the fat lady sings...LOL...Then drive a stake through the heart after shooting it with a silver bullet. Only then rest and celebrate....
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Exactly correct, John-just ask any of us here in Texas, where in the 2007 "road ban" battle a single rogue legislator used some procedural tricks to snatch defeat from the jaws of our seemingly certain victory!

You have to latch on like a gila monster untile the fight is 100% over!
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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

Breeder of:
Green Tree Pythons
Jungle Carpet Pythons
Pastel, Pinstripe, FIRE, Piebald, Clown, Lavender Albino, Leucistic, and Spider Ball Pythons
Striped Colombian Boa Constrictors
Kenyan, Rufescens, and Conicus Sand Boas
Red Phase Western Hognose Snakes
Spider Western Hognose Snakes
Albino Western Hognose Snakes
Locality Trans-Pecos Mexican Hognose Snakes
Southern Hognose Snakes
Eastern Hognose Snakes
Tricolor Hognose Snakes
Hypo Checkered Garter Snakes
Eastern Blackneck Garter Snakes
Stillwater Hypo Bullsnakes
Patternless Bullsnakes
S. GA Eastern Kingsnakes
Locality Desert Kingsnakes
Albino Desert Kingsnakes
Hypo Desert Kingsnakes
Mexican Black Kingsnakes
Desert Phase, Striped Desert, Newport, and Coastal California Kingsnakes
Locality Mexican Milksnakes
Spotted Mexican Milksnakes
Tangerine Mexican Milksnakes
Locality Alterna
Abbott Okeetee Cornsnakes
Mexican Baird's Ratsnakes
Cape Housesnakes
Tangerine Albino African Fat -Tailed Geckos
Locality Spotted Turtles

It gets, better, The "Humane Society-International" (essentially the global arm of the HSUS) is now rated at ONE star.

Saw that one too....where do I send my money!!!
Actually, I have no money. But when I do, I want to contribute to whatever organization is doing such a good job on my behalf.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

You can send your money to me. I'll spend it at the drive through at kfc. I promise to spit on the peta protesters as I drive away.